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South Africa try unique methods to counter Indian spin trio

With South Africa clearly struggling to cope against the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, the visitors have adopted to few peculiar measures.

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South African players undergo a training drill in New Delhi on Tuesday
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Desperate times call for desperate measures. With South Africa clearly struggling to cope against the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, the visitors have adopted to few peculiar measures. It, however, would count for nothing as India have already pocketed the series going into the fourth Test here on Thursday.

But ask South African assistant coach Adrian Birrell and he will tell you how the entire support staff, led by former Test left-armer and spin-bowling consultant Claude Henderson, have been trying out new ways to help the visiting batsmen counter India's spin trio.

From placing the stumps three to four feet behind to making batsmen bat on the rough patches, the South Africans tried out various things. And not just Henderson, the support staff as well as all the net bowlers were asked to pitch the ball on the rough to make life difficult for their key batsmen.

At the nets in Ferozeshah Kotla on Tuesday, two local spinners – both like Monty Panesar – were put on the job. But there was a bit of a difference in their bowling stride as they were asked to bowl from a shorter distance at most times. Even South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir was trying to find the rough patches by shifting the stumps.

"Indian spinners are a threat, there are three very good spinners," Birrell said. "They put us under pressure. We are trying to do very specific training. We take the stumps and put it behind and use the rough there, try simulate what we probably get during the match. We get spinners to try and throw the balls like he bowls, we try to compete in practice in preparation for the matches."

However, Birrell accepted that his team has played way below par in the series so far, and pointed out that their wrecker-in-chief has been Ashwin.

"He is probably tighter than anyone else, doesn't give us any bad balls. Maybe, that's been the difference. We dished out some easy runs for India and we had to fight for every run. He is on the top of the game. He is in form, he is an outstanding bowler. It's a challenge to try and get used to playing him. We haven't done it thus far. We will keep trying," Birrell said.

It's thus no surprise that the Proteas are expecting yet another turning track here for the final Test.

"The wicket is going to spin. Though it looks like it may last more than three days this time around," Birrell said with a chuckle.

With the series already gone, South Africa have nothing but pride to play for. And the visitors would hope for their skipper Hashim Amla to lead the fightback.

"If you know Amla, he is the most precise preparer for a match I have ever met. He is very precise about preparing for what the team is going to face in the match situation. I think we struggled with the bat, but we have made two half-centuries and India has made one. Both sides have struggled. The difference has been the spin bowlers," Birrell said.

Steyn still doubtful
South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn has not yet fullyrecovered from his groin injury. On Tuesday, Steyn's cover, Merchant De Lange was given an extended bowling session at the nets, while Steyn was talking to a local speedster. "He is still nursing a little bit of groin injury. With fast bowlers, groin takes a little more time to get right. We need him a 100 per cent before we play him in a Test. He will undergo another round of fitness Test on Wednesday before a decision is made," Birrell said.

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